Know Your Herb: Bee Balm and Tea

Bee balm (Monarda didyma) was originally used in ancient remedies by Native Americans for quite some time. It was often used to treat wounds and certain skin infections and later developed into an herbal tea.

During the Boston Tea Party, bee balm was adopted as a popular tea replacement.

This bee balm plant can be made into herbal tea. Photo by Lady-Bug/Courtesy of Flickr

Bee balm tea can treat oral diseases such as gingivitis, dental caries and other infections in the mouth. During the winter, it can be used to help treat the common cold and other flu symptoms. Headache and fever symptoms can also be reduced by drinking bee balm.